In the spring of 1999 Cheryl took her individual pilgrimage to Florence to study Art Conservation at SACI. After a few weeks, Em joined her at the Riserva di Fizzano in the Chianti region. While Cheryl was in class in Florence, Em wrote “Tuscan Hills,” looking through a window out over the Chianti landscape, as a light rain began to fall. He sensed a deep connection, a resonance with the place.

That was his first hint of an ongoing relationship with Tuscany rather than Spain, as he’d expected. It was out of those early Tuscan beginnings that many seeds for the future were planted.

Back Story

Music

Lyrics

Under the Tuscan Sky where air is clear and blue is blue
I found this place made for me and you
And as I step inside, I sense a timeless stone retreat
This is the place where I feel complete

I let the dirt collect beneath my fingernails in the Tuscan Hills

Now windows open wide, I sit and watch a single bee
As his daily rounds roll into centuries
And on my short stay here amid the quiet buzzing sounds
Just like the bee I make my daily rounds

I let the dust collect on my window sill in the Tuscan hills

If I should leave today and never pass this way again
Or watch the sun rest on the mountains edge
Or hear the song birds sing from hidden branches in the shade
I’ll not forget where my heart remains

I let the dust soak in as it lightly rains in the Tuscan hills

Under the Tuscan sky where air is clear and blue is blue
I found this place made for me and you
And as I step inside I pause a moment to retrace
That special stone where I see your face

I let the stone reflect like a window pane, in the Tuscan hills

I let the dust collect on my window sill, in the Tuscan Hills

I let the dust soak in as it lightly rains, in the Tuscan Hills

Credits

From Never Sleep, track released 01 January 2003
Cheryl Martlage – Lyrics and vocals
Emerson Martlage – Music, guitar and vocals
Tom Tomasello – Producer/Arranger
Jim Bruno – Vocal producer
Mr Toad’s San Francisco – Mastering
Inspiration – Riserva di Fizzano, Chianti